Auditory event-related potentials to a two-tone discrimination paradigm in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Author(s): Barry, R. J.

Journal/Book: Psychiatry Res. 1996; 64: Customer Relations Manager, Bay 15, Shannon Industrial, Estate Co, Clare, Ireland. Elsevier Sci Ireland Ltd. 179-192.

Abstract: Auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from 10 children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and 10 age-, sex-, and IQ-matched control children. ERPs were recorded from 17 electrodes during an auditory two-tone discrimination ('oddball') paradigm. Subjects were instructed to press a hand-held response button to infrequently presented target tones. ERP components elicited to target and non-target stimuli were analyzed for between-group differences. Results indicated that for the children with ADHD relative to control children, an N-2 component to non-target stimuli was larger in the posterior region and smaller in the frontal region. The P-3b component to target stimuli was smaller in the posterior region and larger in the frontal region for the ADHD group compared with the control group. The between-group differences in P-3b scalp distribution are indicative of a between-group difference in the neural generators of P-3b. It is proposed that the ADHD group, relative to controls, utilizes an additional cognitive process when processing task-relevant stimuli. This process is more frontally distributed and may reflect an attentional compensation mechanism in the ADHD group.

Note: Article RJ Barry, Univ Wollongong, Dept Psychol, Nortfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia

Keyword(s): evoked responses; child psychiatry; auditory oddball paradigm; P-3b evoked potential component; neural generators; BRAIN POTENTIALS; NORMAL-CHILDREN; DISABLED BOYS; P300

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